03/06/2005

NI to receive additional €144 million PEACE II money

Northern Ireland is set to receive a further 144 million euro from the European Union Peace II initiative, it was announced today.

Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for regional policy, today signed the operational programme which extends EU support for the peace process in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland until 2006.

The extension provides an additional 144 million euro of funding to support the PEACE Programme for 2005 and 2006, bringing the total value of the Programme to EUR 852 million for the period 2000-2006.

Commenting on the extended funding, Commissioner Hübner said: “The European Union understands that economic and social development in support of peace and reconciliation at grassroots level is not a short term process. The Programme provides real added-value in bringing communities together to address shared economic and social problems and opportunities.

“In face of the current difficulties in the peace process, this decision demonstrates the continued solidarity and support of the European Union towards permanent peace in the region.”

After the formal launch, Commissioner Hübner visited two PEACE funded projects on the Springfield Road in Belfast to see the work of the programme at first hand. The Commissioner also visited an International Fund for Ireland project on the Stewartstown Road in the city.

The EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland was established in 1995.

More than 5,300 projects have been supported by the funding programme.

(MB/SP)

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